A heavy storm has brought a record amount of snow to the US city of Erie on Christmas Day, forcing officials to declare a state of emergency.

A total of 34in (86cm) of snow blanketed the city and surrounding areas in the Pennsylvania state.

There was no respite on Boxing Day, with meteorologists registering a grand total of 60in over the two-day period.

Police warned motorists that “roads are dangerous and impassable”, with a number of closures reported.

More snow is forecast on Wednesday.

The officials say the heavy snowstorm is the result of lake-effect snow – when cold air combines with lake water.

Image copyrightReuters

Image caption
Some residents had to shovel their way out

The city lies on the shores of Lake Erie.

So, what snow records were smashed?

In fact, a number of them.

Skip Twitter post by @NWSCLE

With an additional 3.5″ of snow at the Erie, PA airport as of 5PM, this brings the two day (12/25-26) total up to 58″ and the storm total (From 7PM Christmas Eve thru 5PM 12/26) up to 60.0″. Heavy snow continues to fall. Here is a look at some of the records. #pawx pic.twitter.com/BN5txOpByZ

— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) December 26, 2017

End of Twitter post by @NWSCLE

The National Weather Center Cleveland on Christmas Day registered a new all-time high for any single day, beating the previous record set in 1956.

The state’s two-day snowfall record from 1944 was also shattered, as well as a storm total snowfall and a monthly snowfall.

How are local residents affected?

A number of cars and homes were buried in snow, with some residents having to shovel their way out.

Why do so many people die shovelling snow?

What to do if it all goes wrong?

Shops and childcare centres were closed.

Some flights to and from the Erie International airport were cancelled.

Meanwhile, social media users have been publishing amazing pictures from the area.